One cleric and a guard of the Georgian patriarchate have tested positive for the coronavirus in Georgia, the patriarchate has confirmed.
The cleric and his family members, who were hospitalised yesterday, are undergoing treatment in Bochorishvili clinic in Tbilisi.
The cleric took part in a service several days ago, the patriarchate confirmed.
The Georgian Patriarchate stated in mid-March that there are individuals and media outlets in the country who ‘wrongly accuse the church of spreading the coronavirus’, as churches remain open and parishioners continue to take communion despite the state of emergency.
The Georgian Patriarchate said that they stick to the recommendations of the government and maintain distance between parishioners, however they say it would be wrong to close the doors of churches.
Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze and health officials have urged the public to stay home and pray there to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.